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2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

T. G. HALL. Apparatus for Extracting Metals from Ores.

No. 233-. 505. Patented 0ct.19,l80.

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T. G. HALL. Apparatus for Extracting Metals from Ores.

No. 233,505. Patented Oct. 19,1880.

' 23%JZLW N-PEIERS. FHDTO-LITHOGRAPMER. WASMINGYON o c UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE.

THURSTON G. HALL, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF OF HISRIGHT TO GEORGE H. VAN VLEOK, OF SAME PLACE.

APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING METALS FROM ORES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 233,505, dated October19, 1880.

Application filed November 13, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THURsroN G. HALL, of the city of Buffalo, in thecounty of Erie and btate of New York, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Apparatus for Extractin g Metal from Ore, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings.

My invention relates to an improved furnace for extracting metals fromores by heating the ore in the furnace until the metal is subliniated,and then condensing or precipitating the metal in a suitablecondensing-chamber.

The object of my invention is more especially to provide an apparatusfor extracting the precious metals from auriferous and argentiferousores; but it may with advantage be employed in furnaces for thereduction of different {rings of ores, more especially ores containingMy invention consists in the particular construction of the apparatuswhereby an intense heat is generated in the furnace and the condensationand collection of the sublimated metal are efl'ected very conveniently,as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure 1 is asectional elevation of my improved apparatus. Figs. 2 and 3 arehorizontal sections in lines a: m and 52 3 Fig. 1, respectively.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the blast-furnace in which the ore is smelted, and b thehinged cover thereof, which closes the feed-openin g at the top of thefurnace, except when material is fed into the furnace. c is a pipe ortube leading from the upper portion of the furnace to a verticalcondensing chamber or column, D, through which a shower of waterdescends. The lower end of the column D terminates in two branch pipes,D, each leading to a separate receptacle or tank, E. d is a valvearranged at the 5 junction of the branch pipes D with the pipe D,whereby the current of liquid is directed into either of the branches Dat the desire of the operator. By this arrangement of tanks and pipesthe sediment can be removed from one tank E while the liquid isdischarged into the other tank E.

The ends of the branch pipes D are preferably arranged below thewater-level in the tanks E, so as to be water-sealed. The tanks E aresupported above a large tank, F, and provided with overflow-pipes f,which discharge the surplus of liquid from the receptacles E into thetank F.

grepresents a steam-jetarranged in the pipe 0, so as to create a drafttoward the column D and assist the gases and vapors in passing from thefurnace to the column D. h is a wafer-jet arranged in the upper portionof the column D above the junction of the pipe 0 therewith, and i aresieves or perforated plates arranged in the column D for breaking up ordividing the stream of water into a shower.

If desired, the water for supplying the jet It may be taken from thelower tank, F, by means of a pump, K, as shown in Fig. 1.

L is the air-tube through which the blast is supplied to the furnace bymeans of a centrifugal fan, M, or any other suitable blowingmachine. Theblast-pipe L connects with a ring or annular air-chamber, N, whichsurrounds the lower part of the furnace, and from which a suitablenumber of tuyeres, a, lead to the furnace. Each air-tuyere is preferablycomposed of two parts, which inclose an independent central tuyere, 0.The latter are fed from an annular chamber, P, by means of a fan orother blowing-machine, Q, with a combustible gas generated in anysuitable manner.

The stream of gas is discharged into the furnace from each tuyere 0between and in contact with the streams of air issuing from the adjacenttuyeres n, and a perfect combustion of the gas is thereby insured and avery high degree of heat is generated thereby.

Two or more rows or tiers of air and gas tuyeres, n 0, may be arranged,one above the other, in the furnace, according to the requirements ofthe case.

The ore to be treated is placed in the furnace in layers, alternatingwith layers of solid fuel and flux, in the usual manner. The high degreeof heat generated in the furnace sublimates or vaporizes the metalcontained in the ore, and the gases and vapor generated in the furnace Apass from the latter, through the pipe 0, into the column 1), where theymeet the descending showerot' water. All the constituent: parts of thegases and vapors which are capable of bein; dissolved in water or precipitated by eoolin; are carried down in the column 1) by the showerofwater and collected as sediment in the tanks E F. i removed from thetanks and smelted down with lead in crucibles, and the previous metal isfinally obtained from the bullion so produced by cupelling, or in anyother suitable manner.

I have found that by means of my improved apparatus refractory ores canbe profitably worked which are not reducible by any known metallurgicalprocess.

I claim as my iuvention- This sediment i 1. In combination with thesublimating-fur- 2'0 \Vitncsses:

JNO. J. BONNER, Row. J. BRADY.

